AFSPA extended in 9 districts of Nagaland, 3 of Arunachal

The Center has extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in nine districts of Nagaland and three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, effective from today, for a period of six months.

AFSPA has been extended in the districts of Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, and Zunheboto in Nagaland and the three districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding in Arunachal Pradesh from today, October 1st to March 30 next year, according to a notification issued by Ministry of Home Affairs or the MHA.

In addition, the Government of India has extended AFSPA in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of 16 police stations in four districts of Nagaland including five police stations in Kohima district; six police stations in Mokokchung district; Yanglok police station in Longleng district; and four police stations in Wokha district.

The government of India has also extended AFSPA in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Centre took the step following a further review of the law and order situation in Nagaland as well as in Arunachal Pradesh

Earlier, the Central Government in the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 had declared nine districts and 16 Police Stations in four other districts of Nagaland and Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering the State of Assam as ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from April 1 to September 30, 2022.

The AFSPA empowers security forces to arrest a person without a warrant, enter or search premises without a warrant, and perform other actions.